The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the President’s allocation. A new political chapter has begun; six months ago the people chose change and elected the Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President. Unlike past presidents from elite families, he rose from a humble background through perseverance, and is now embraced across North, East, South and West, and respected internationally.

¶ 02 In 2022, Sri Lanka was declared bankrupt. When we assumed office in September 2024, we inherited a bankrupt nation. The people gave us a decisive mandate – 159 Members – to rebuild. Our first duty is to the people; their lives are our lives. With honest governance, public confidence has been growing. Economically, stability is returning – in the exchange rate, in the stock market, and in the banking sector. Investors who were wary now look at Sri Lanka more positively.

¶ 03 The crisis did not arise overnight; it is the result of decades of mismanagement, policies and governance since Independence. In discussing our maiden Budget, we must compare with the past. Prior presidents and ministers lived like kings in palaces. Today there is a clear change.

¶ 04 Some this morning alleged we plan to weaken independent commissions, including Human Rights. The facts show the opposite. For 2024, the Bribery Commission received Rs. 950 million; we have allocated Rs. 1,374 million for 2025 to strengthen it. The Human Rights Commission previously had Rs. 398 million; we have allocated Rs. 449 million, again strengthening its independence. The National Police Commission’s allocation has increased from about Rs. 207 million to about Rs. 245 million. These demonstrate our commitment to independent functioning, not political interference.

¶ 05 We also see this Budget as a vehicle to strengthen national unity and to uplift lives particularly in the North, East, and estate areas affected by war and neglect, with additional allocations. We trust people will understand these efforts. Thank you.